Chapter 5
Something tightened in Adrian’s chest.
“You have two jobs?”
“Three sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Because Boston landlords have an unhealthy attachment to being paid.”
He smiled.
Then a television mounted above the counter changed to a news segment.
Adrian froze.
His own face filled the screen.
Emily followed his gaze.
The photograph showed him in a tailored navy suit outside Mercer Global headquarters.
The caption beneath it read:
MISSING BILLIONAIRE ADRIAN MERCER STILL UNSEEN.
Emily looked at the television.
Then at Adrian.
Then back at the television.
Her mouth slowly opened.
“No.”
Adrian said nothing.
Emily stepped closer.
“No way.”
“Emily—”
“You’re him.”
“Yes.”
She stared at his filthy shirt.
His damaged shoes.
Then at the television again.
“You’re Adrian Mercer?”
“Yes.”
“The Adrian Mercer?”
“I assume there’s only one causing this much trouble.”
Emily’s expression hardened.
“You let me give you my dinner?”
Adrian winced.
“That sounds worse when you say it like that.”
“You’re a billionaire.”
“Technically—”
“Do not say technically.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You could buy this entire building.”
“Probably.”
“Adrian!”
Several customers turned.
Emily lowered her voice.
“I thought you were homeless.”
“For the last two days, functionally, I was.”
“You had a mansion somewhere.”
“Three.”
She stared at him.
“Three?”
“That wasn't the point.”
“Oh, good. Because three mansions really improves the story.”
Despite himself, Adrian laughed.
Emily did not.
“You should have told me.”
“If I had told you, would you have believed me?”
“No.”
“Exactly.”
“That still doesn't make it okay.”
“You're right.”
That stopped her.
Adrian stepped closer.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily studied his face.
“Why are you doing this?”
So he told her.
Not everything.
But enough.
The wedding.
Vanessa.
His father.
The merger.
The feeling that his entire life had become a transaction.
When he finished, Emily leaned against the counter.
“You know disappearing doesn't solve any of that.”
“I know.”
“It actually makes it worse.”
“I know that too.”
“Your family thinks you’re missing.”
“Yes.”
“That’s cruel.”
The word struck harder than he expected.
Emily continued.
“You wanted freedom, so you disappeared. But everyone who cares about you had to carry the fear.”
Adrian looked down.
No board member had ever spoken to him that directly.
No employee would have dared.
Vanessa rarely disagreed with him unless money or appearances were involved.
Emily had known him less than twelve hours.
And she was right.
“I need to go home.”
“Yes.”
“But before I do, I wanted to thank you.”